Svengali

The evil hypnotist Svengali controls the musical career of a beautiful young girl, Trilby, after putting her in a trance.
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Format:  DVD-R
item number:  WJC2
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DVD-R Details

  • Original Story By George du Maurier
  • Rated: Not Rated
  • Run Time: 1 hours, 4 minutes
  • Video: Black & White
  • Encoding: Region 0 (Worldwide)
  • Released: September 9, 2003
  • Originally Released: 1931
  • Label: Alpha Video

Performers, Cast and Crew:

Starring &
Performer: , , , &
Directed by
Edited by
Screenplay by
Original story by
Art Direction by
Director of Photography:

Entertainment Reviews:

Fresh83%

TOMATOMETER
Total Count: 6

Upright78%

AUDIENCE SCORE
User Ratings: 754
Rating: 55/100 -- Movies this old seem to come from another planet.
Apollo Guide
Mar 16, 2004
A peculiar, affecting ode to the tragic lecher Full Review
CinePassion
Mar 9, 2013
Rating: B- -- Vintage old-fashioned psychological melodrama about the evil use of mind-control. Full Review
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Mar 24, 2006
Rating: 5/5 -- One of the best -- and most overlooked -- early talkie horror films. Barrymore is magnetic in the lead.
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Mar 29, 2004

Description by OLDIES.com:

John Barrymore is Svengali, the teacher and virtuoso who seduces and destroys young women with his hypnotic powers. He sets his evil gaze upon the beautiful young artist's model, Trilby. Powerless to resist the wicked maestro's control, Trilby abandons her noble young lover and flees with her new master who forces her to become his bride. Svengali transforms her into an international singing star, first bringing the couple acclaim and wealth, but leading to a rapid descent into depravity, horror and damnation.

This 1931 Warner Bros. classic is noteworthy for its expressionistic sets and camerawork and Barrymore's mesmerizing performance. Based on the novel Trilby by George Du Maurier, this film popularized the term "a Svengali," (roughly translated - evil mentor.)

Product Description:

In SVENGALI, John Barrymore reprises the stage role that garnered him critical acclaim. Svengali is a masterful and menacing hypnotist, bearded and unkempt, who draws a young woman, Trilby, into his lair. She has worked as a nude model for many artists and now, cajoled by Svengali's manipulative gift, she leaves behind her family in order to pursue a singing career on the concert circuit. What Trilby does not know, however, is that she can perform only upon the hypnotist's command. Svengali and Trilby are pursued by a young artist who, like Svengali, is madly in love with Trilby.

Director Archie Mayo's SVENGALI was the first sound version of this chilling tale, and remains the best. Marian Marsh is tantalizing as Svengali's unwitting victim, but the powerhouse performance belongs to John Barrymore, who was widely considered the greatest living American actor at the time of SVENGALI's release. Barrymore's performance in the title role stands among his very best efforts.

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This product is made-on-demand by the manufacturer using DVD-R recordable media. Almost all DVD players can play DVD-Rs (except for some older models made before 2000) - please consult your owner's manual for formats compatible with your player. These DVD-Rs may not play on all computers or DVD player/recorders. To address this, the manufacturer recommends viewing this product on a DVD player that does not have recording capability.

Movie Lovers' Ratings & Reviews:

Customer Rating:
Based on 3266 ratings.
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Svengali Movie Lover: from Richmond Virginia -- January, 14, 2006

For all you early '30's horror fans, this is a classic. Filmed the same year as 'Dracula' & 'Frankenstein', it abounds with much of the same charm. The cinematography is fantastic, with a tip of the hat to "Caligari" and the use of some fine impressionistic sets. To top it off,Alpha gives us a crystal clear print!The actors all turn in excellent performances. The beautiful Marian Marsh is absolutely stunning as 'Trilby'. Barrymore's performance is superb! Overall, a very pleasant way to spend 81 minutes.


Svengali Movie Lover: from clamart, Hauts-de-Seine FR -- March, 27, 2004

Superb filming of the classic novel 'Trilby'! John Barrymore is outstanding as the evil hypnotist Svengali and pretty young Marian Marsh('Murder By Invitation') is just as good as the high spirited artists model Trilby that he puts under his spell. Great early sound film. Excellent camera work,sets and a striking miniature of the rooftops of Paris! One of those must see cinema classics!


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Product Info

  • Sales Rank: 11,955
  • UPC: 089218629296
  • Shipping Weight: 0.25/lbs (approx)
  • International Shipping: 1 item

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